A Very Lurkyloo Christmas is FINISHED! New 3/16: Last Day of the Trip!

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Here's my admission fee!

{thud} This looks so good!

 

[PrincessShea]

Woohoo! I just finished your other TR and I'm excited to see another one will be coming soon I'm actually going again too for Christmas, except I am literally insane and will be there December 18-27 It will be crowded as heck but at least it won't be blisteringly hot though (I'm trying to find the positives )

I don't think we'll be able to see MVMCP because December 18 is the last day they do it, but I'm looking forward to all the other stuff. It's kind of stressful having to research all this new stuff (Candle light dinner packages, osbourne lights, etc) but also fun, right?

Glad to be following along. I look forward to reading about all the planning madness

 

[romymichelle21]

I totally met Carrie (aka, Lurkyloo) yesterday at DL

Or should I say, stalked?

You should've seen Will when I explained that I was trying to locate someone from the internet

 

[NotSoEvilStepmother]

Wow - that is really cool! Did you or someone you know make it?

Well, my mom got the kit (with the spires and castle front) at Wal-Mart. One look at the directions, she decided that someone else had to make it. So some lucky baker got to make it. Sad to say though, it wasn't that good. I know cake is supposed to be moist, but not like a soaked sponge.

 

[lynn46356]

No pics here of any cakes as I'm not near as talented as everyone here but I do have one heck of a recipe for a whipped chocolate icing. Many many years ago my brother's girlfriend made him a cake that was iced with this whipped chocolate icing. It was from a Betty Crocker box mix. Of course, they discontinued it but my Mom is such a wonderful baker (or was) that she was able to duplicate it. We still call the cake Stacy Cake even though that girlfriend didn't last.

2 sm boxes of whipping cream
3 c. powdered sugar
3-6 T. cocoa (I use 3 but it depends on how much chocolate you love)

Chill bowl with whipping cream in it and beater in frig for a few hours. That's a tip from my Mom. Add powdered sugar and whip until thick on medium high. Frost. I make 2 10" cakes and frost between the layers and the remainder of the cake. Store in frig.

You won't believe how good this cake is. It lasts no more than a two days at our home of men/boys.

I'm LOVING the new pretrip report. I'm too trying to plan a trip for early December. Its driving me crazy!!!! So much more to figure out than a regular trip. Can't wait to read more and see more of these wonderful cakes!!!! WOW!!!!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I totally met Carrie (aka, Lurkyloo) yesterday at DL

Or should I say, stalked?

You should've seen Will when I explained that I was trying to locate someone from the internet

Wow! Lucky you! Great stalking job!

My bf doesn't even understand this website let alone if I told him I was trying to find someone from it!

 

[romymichelle21]

Wow! Lucky you! Great stalking job!

My bf doesn't even understand this website let alone if I told him I was trying to find someone from it!

I know, I felt like I was meeting a celebrity!

I was at the park, and noticed she'd Tweeted (Twittered, whatever) that she was there too! A little while later, she posted again with a picture of the marching band on Main St., so I ran down there to try and find her!

I didn't make it in time, but luckily she saw my Twitter replies and we managed to set up a 'hello' spot!

Patrick was there too - and they're both very nice Totally worth stalking!

 

[reelmom]

I totally met Carrie (aka, Lurkyloo) yesterday at DL

Or should I say, stalked?

You should've seen Will when I explained that I was trying to locate someone from the internet

Did she have her awesome hat on?

 

[PigletsMommy]

Love reading your TR & definately in on this one... I'll have to look for my entry fee tho... hmmm, I dont know if I can find anything close to what others have posted

 

[romymichelle21]

Did she have her awesome hat on?

No, but she was wearing earrings I swear I've seen somewhere on one of her trip reports!

... Is it sad that I recognize her jewelry?

(She's gonna think I'm crazy by the time she reads this!)

 

[lurkyloo]

This is definitely the BEST tip. I believe they keep the Osborne Lights open for an hour after park closing. The difference is seriously like night and day!

This sounds SO cool - I can't wait!

In the past, the CP was booked mid/late June but the general concensus on the Restaurants board is that the CP will be booked at 90 days just like all other normal ADRs now.

The 6:00 and the 8:00(ish) shows are supposed to be better yes, because of darkness. I asked opinions on another board and it seemed that people said the earliest show was just fine if that's all you could do---but that the darkness really made it more special because of the lighting and the "candles" that the choir holds? Not sure about that last part.

Sounds reasonable to me. I'll see if we can't do one of the later times for CP...

But don't depsair they also have the Baba Booey, which is a peanut butter chocolate combo .

YESSS!!!

A friends make the cakes for me. I was happy with both. I have no real talent like that

I am looking for a cross stitch pattern for a cupcake though. I can do that.

Wow - your friend does an amazing job. And hey, I can't even do a cross-stitch pattern.

Okay, someone needs to help me get educated on Sunshine Rewards. I heard "free money" somewhere...?

OK, so Sunshine Rewards is a shopping website started by a DISer where you earn money in teeny tiny increments for clicking on links, taking surveys and using SR's link to any website you want to shop on instead of just going through Google or typing it in. When you use SR's link, it gives you a credit of a certain percentage of your purchase, and then it all adds up to real money eventually and you can cash out for Disney gift cards (among other kinds, plus PayPal).

You have to have a LOT of time on your hands to do surveys and offers and stuff, but over time it really adds up. We've earned hundreds of dollars using SR!

I think I have DH convinced to go back to WDW in Oct (well next Oct, but still Oct!!!)

He has been saying all along that we need a new roof, but when I told him it would be 1700 for all 4 of us in a value, he seemed more receptive.

This cracked me up - new roof, or... WDW! Congrats on getting to go back!

I need to know how to work it! I never qualify for a survey & don't shop at the stores on the site.

Yeah, that's kind of tricky. Some of my fave stores aren't on Sunshine Rewards, so I try really hard to look for items I want at stores that *are* on SR. As for the surveys, there are so many women on SR that it can sometimes be hard to get one if you aren't a guy. But if you know a guy who is willing to fill out the surveys, he can do them for you!

I'm wanting to say 6pm, but you'll see it posted on the DIS and can ask any cast member. Figure on getting to NY St. around dusk and you'll be set!

Thank you! I'll definitely keep an eye on the DIS.

Silly me, I forgot my entry fee...........

LOVE it! DH was like "but Wall*E didn't have two rods in his neck!" and I was all, "Um, yeah but, hello, he's made entirely of CAKE!!!"

I am seriously amazed with each and every one of these cakes!!!

I think we have a combination of the most talented cake designers and/or cake appreciators in the whole history of Dis threads!

x2

This PTR has turned into a low carber's nightmare!

I do so love to see all these fabulous cakes/cupcakes. I just keep telling myself that they can't taste nearly as good as they look.

Yes, I've tried telling myself "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels" but it's usually through a mouthful of cake...

My best tip for the Osborne Lights is to go on an EMH night about an hour before the park closes for the night. We do it every time we go during the Christmas season (we usually go the second week of December) and are usually the only people on the street which is such a weird/awesome feeling.

Great tip! I'm usually scared of EMH, but I love the idea of breezing in roght before the end of it just to see the lights!

CP: It is a really cool thing to see at least once. We did the dinner package twice but opted out last time. We still got great seats, we just arrived about 15-20 minutes before it started. Also, I recommend bringing a sweater or something to sit on as the weather is unpredictable and it can get down in the 40's-50's and the seats are metal (and uncomfortable).

Duly noted.

I HIGHLY recommend taking the time to see the 'Santa's around the World' in Epcot. They are very frequent in the 'performances' and are really neat to watch. Also there's a lighted 'arch' leading into World Showcase that 'dances' to the music as well. I believe the fountain at Epcot dances to Christmas music too.

OK, this is good stuff - I prolly woulda missed the Santas completely!

MVMCP is cool to go to at least once. However, IMHO, going during an EMH at Magic Kingdom is just as good (and much cheaper and much less crowded).

Hmmmm...

Oh, and PS - LOVE the admission fee. Those peanut butter cups right on the cake sold me!

I don't think we'll be able to see MVMCP because December 18 is the last day they do it, but I'm looking forward to all the other stuff. It's kind of stressful having to research all this new stuff (Candle light dinner packages, osbourne lights, etc) but also fun, right?

Exactly! I thought I knew everything about planning a WDW trip, then Christmas threw me a curveball, and now I'm scrambling to figure it all out! You're lucky - after MVMCP ends they do all the same stuff in the MK for FREE (well, OK, not the cookies and hot chocolate, but still...)

Well, my mom got the kit (with the spires and castle front) at Wal-Mart. One look at the directions, she decided that someone else had to make it. So some lucky baker got to make it. Sad to say though, it wasn't that good. I know cake is supposed to be moist, but not like a soaked sponge.

Wow - I've never heard of a cake being TOO moist! That's so funny how your mom bit off more than she could chew, so to speak.

No pics here of any cakes as I'm not near as talented as everyone here but I do have one heck of a recipe for a whipped chocolate icing. Many many years ago my brother's girlfriend made him a cake that was iced with this whipped chocolate icing. It was from a Betty Crocker box mix. Of course, they discontinued it but my Mom is such a wonderful baker (or was) that she was able to duplicate it. We still call the cake Stacy Cake even though that girlfriend didn't last.

That happened in our family too, although the lasting legacy was a Cabbage Patch Doll named after our cousin's high school girlfriend... Thanks for the frosting recipe!

I totally met Carrie (aka, Lurkyloo) yesterday at DL

Or should I say, stalked?

You should've seen Will when I explained that I was trying to locate someone from the internet

I know, I felt like I was meeting a celebrity!

I was at the park, and noticed she'd Tweeted (Twittered, whatever) that she was there too! A little while later, she posted again with a picture of the marching band on Main St., so I ran down there to try and find her!

I didn't make it in time, but luckily she saw my Twitter replies and we managed to set up a 'hello' spot!

Patrick was there too - and they're both very nice Totally worth stalking!

I'm so glad we got to meet up - it was really nice meeting you and Will in person! I s'pose it was bound to happen cuz we both go to Disneyland so much, but I'm still in awe of the Power of the Tweet! How was the rest of your trip?

Here's the pic DH took - pretty good for no flash and low light!

Did she have her awesome hat on?

Unfortunately, no. But she did consider bringing it!

Love reading your TR & definately in on this one... I'll have to look for my entry fee tho... hmmm, I dont know if I can find anything close to what others have posted

Hey, I'm not picky. Cake is cake!

No, but she was wearing earrings I swear I've seen somewhere on one of her trip reports!

... Is it sad that I recognize her jewelry?

(She's gonna think I'm crazy by the time she reads this!)

That's so funny! I did wear those earrings on one of our other trips. And I got a bunch of compliments on them from the girls at the Fossil store on Downtown Disney Saturday night - whohoo!

 

[dhay]

I can't belive you will be going in December! We won't be able to run into you again like we did in February when we had the impromptu Disbride meet! It is beautiful at Christmas though so I am sure you will have a blast!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Did she have her awesome hat on?

No, but she was wearing earrings I swear I've seen somewhere on one of her trip reports!

... Is it sad that I recognize her jewelry?

(She's gonna think I'm crazy by the time she reads this!)

Did you get her autograph?


Edited: So cool the way you met up! And you look like you could be long lost sisters!

 

[romymichelle21]

I'm so glad we got to meet up - it was really nice meeting you and Will in person! I s'pose it was bound to happen cuz we both go to Disneyland so much, but I'm still in awe of the Power of the Tweet! How was the rest of your trip?

It was nice meeting you guys too! For awhile I thought maybe you couldn't see my Tweet-replies, but then a SoCal number showed up on my phone and I knew it must be you! Next time we're there on a weekend I'll have to Tweet @ you.

The whole trip was lovely! We actually only went on Pirates and HM (he goes, "Lets go on HM next - I wanna stare at the house!" ), but mostly sat and watched the bands, parades, Fantasmic, etc. All the stuff we never really see during the off-season.

I'm surprised it took this long for us to run into you guys... but we've only ever been on a Saturday once before. Oh, and the swing dancers? So cute! Will was watching and totally wants to take swing lessons and go back there now

Did you get her autograph?

Edited: So cool the way you met up! And you look like you could be long lost sisters!

No autograph - just the goofy picture! (I can't do serious smiles to save my life, so I make weird faces on purpose). And Will said the same thing - "People are gonna think you're related!"

 

[starann]

Thanks Carrie, I jsut signed up for Sunshine Rewards!!!!!

Hoping to earn a bunch of Disney Rewards between now and (next) Oct!

 

[PigletsMommy]

So does this cake entry have to be our creation or can we find one we like on the net?

Found one from my baby shower. Its a replica of the baby's quilt. Her room is done in lady bugs and they continued that theme into the shower

 

[Handbag Lady]

Okay, I signed up in Sunshine Rewards and boy it is confusing.

I can't tell the ads apart from the actual surveys. And when you don't get accepted for a survey, is it worth it to do the optional one where you are in a drawing for $50K?

I'll keep at it because you can never have too many Disney Dollars. Thanks!


Oh, and to keep up with your PTR, you MUST see the Gingerbread house they build at the GF. It's like a giant cake! (Unless if you don't like gingerbread then stay away!)

 

[starann]

I agree, it IS confusing!


Anyone have tips?

 

[lurkyloo]

I can't belive you will be going in December! We won't be able to run into you again like we did in February when we had the impromptu Disbride meet! It is beautiful at Christmas though so I am sure you will have a blast!

That was so much fun! Patrick was so tickled when you guys "recognized" him at Rose & Crown!

The whole trip was lovely! We actually only went on Pirates and HM (he goes, "Lets go on HM next - I wanna stare at the house!" ), but mostly sat and watched the bands, parades, Fantasmic, etc. All the stuff we never really see during the off-season.

I'm surprised it took this long for us to run into you guys... but we've only ever been on a Saturday once before. Oh, and the swing dancers? So cute! Will was watching and totally wants to take swing lessons and go back there now

Hooray! Oh you should take lessons - it's a lot of fun! It sounds like you had a blast on your trip, too.

Thanks Carrie, I jsut signed up for Sunshine Rewards!!!!!

Hoping to earn a bunch of Disney Rewards between now and (next) Oct!

Way to go!

So does this cake entry have to be our creation or can we find one we like on the net?

Found one from my baby shower. Its a replica of the baby's quilt. Her room is done in lady bugs and they continued that theme into the shower

Any cake will do, but that one is super-cute! What a great idea!

Oh, and to keep up with your PTR, you MUST see the Gingerbread house they build at the GF. It's like a giant cake! (Unless if you don't like gingerbread then stay away!)

Gingerbread house - check! (I don't like to eat gingerbread, but I'm OK with smelling it... for a little while... long enough to see the house...)

Okay, I signed up in Sunshine Rewards and boy it is confusing.

I can't tell the ads apart from the actual surveys. And when you don't get accepted for a survey, is it worth it to do the optional one where you are in a drawing for $50K?

I'll keep at it because you can never have too many Disney Dollars. Thanks!

I agree, it IS confusing!


Anyone have tips?

Yeah, Sunshine Rewards can be kinda overwhelming. I don't usually do the optional survey because I'm pretty sure it isn't linked to SR to give you money. However, if you don't get a Greenfield Survey, they now have two other options for surveys you can try - the OTX and Your Two Cents surveys under the "Surveys" drop-down menu.

Mostly, I do the shopping, surveys, and paid clicks. If I'm trying to earn extra $$ to make Super Member, I'll do the Offers, but they are a drag because you have to click so many "No, I'm not interested"s to get to the end of them.

 

[rottiemom]

Good God...I take a few months off & you're gone, back & going again. I wish we could bottle you!

I can't stump up an entry fee (all of my cakes look like I decorated them when I was drunk...um...anyway...) so I guess I'll just have to lurk .

I just have to comment on this:

Of course this thread is completely dangerous for my cake obsession! Oh well...I am gonna dive right in. Here's my cake contribution for the day. We just held my DD's 6th Birthday with a Garden Tea Party theme and this was her cake:

Holy diver...did you actually MAKE this cake?! It's incredible.